Outliers can be the result of an error or an unusual value. All outliers need to be investigated to see whether they are errors or true outliers. If they are errors, we remove them. We can often identify possible outliers by eye as they are different to the rest of the data set. In this case, we will consider numbers outside the range of 80 – 110cm to be outliers.

In your CensusAtSchool random sample, find the question about belly button height, and enter ten numbers as a list in your CAS calculator. If you find an outlier or a blank, go to the next value in your list.

2. Calculate the mean ______________________

3. Calculate the standard deviation ______________________

4. You are told that the mean belly button height of a sample is 96 cm, and a standard deviation of 11. Create a realistic sample of ten belly button heights below that will give you a mean of 96cm, and a standard deviation of 11, accurate to the nearest whole number.

5. Get your neighbour to check your data sample of ten. “This data sample of ten has a mean of 96cmand a standard deviation of 11.” signed:

_______________________________

Extension:

6. Explain in words how you went about creating a sample of ten numbers that had a mean of 96cm, and a standard deviation of 11.

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